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"Campus Update" is a weekly e-newsletter published by LaGuardia's Division of Communications and External Affairs to provide news and information to the college community.

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NEWS

LaGuardia Community College Foundation Awards Over $500,000 in Named Scholarships 

The LaGuardia Community College Foundation has awarded more than $500,000 in Named Scholarships to LaGuardia students for the 2024–25 academic year. Foundation Named Scholarships, both annual and endowed, are awarded to students in LaGuardia’s 50+ associate degree programs, following a review of eligibility, application, and interview. Generous donors and partners, including Rise Light & Power, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, and Con Edison, provide the funding for these scholarships. Awards, which range from $1,000 to $2,000, help students pay for tuition, textbooks, and other living essentials. For first-generation college student Dylan Ramdath, a Computer Science major, being named a Rise Light & Power Scholar meant that “the chains of fear that had long crippled me were broken, and I was set free.” Students interested in applying for a scholarship should visit Scholarships - LaGuardia Community College or email foundationscholarship@lagcc.cuny.edu. They may also visit the LaGuardia Community College Foundation in-person on the 5th floor of the E-Building, Room E-517, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

LaGuardia Receives Renewal Grant from Petrie Foundation to Enhance English Express Program 

LaGuardia offers comprehensive support services and skill development courses and is a critical access point for newly arrived immigrants and non-English speakers seeking a pathway to a college degree. Fostering this initiative, LaGuardia was recently awarded a $210,000 renewal grant from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation to enhance its English Express program, designed to help asylum seekers and others learn English. The program, managed by the Center for Immigrant Education and Training (CIET) in LaGuardia’s Adult and Continuing Education and Workforce Development Division, was launched in November 2023 with an initial $210K grant from the Petrie Foundation. LaGuardia is the largest provider of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction in New York City, and the LaGuardia English Express program offers orientation and assessment activities, English language workshops contextualized to the immediate needs of daily living, and referrals to educational and training programs at LaGuardia and other providers. 

New initiative at LaGuardia: Helping Students Build Social Capital

On January 14, LaGuardia faculty, staff and administrators participated in a four-hour workshop titled, “Whom You Know Matters as Much as What You Know: Building Social Capital,” presented by Climb Together, an organization that empowers learners from lower socioeconomic backgrounds by helping them develop their social capital. Climb Together was created by Nitzan Pelman, an entrepreneur in residence at LinkedIn, when the company’s researchers discovered that referrals helped 46% of people who secured jobs on the LinkedIn platform. Pelman first founded Climb Hire (in 2019), a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds build skills and networks to secure jobs through referrals and social capital. From this work, Pelman then created Climb Together in 2024. Funding for Climb Together programming at LaGuardia is provided by the Wal-Mart Foundation. During the January 14 workshop, LaGuardia participants learned about course modules offered through the Climb Together platform that focus on effective communication, active listening, and creating a personal narrative for job interviews. The College will leverage Climb Together training to engage LaGuardia alumni and invite them to serve as mentors and sources for referrals to students looking for job opportunities.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Professors Bijoyeta Das and Dr. Noam Scheindlin Receive NEH Cultural and Community Resilience Grant

On January 14, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced $22.6 million in grants for 219 humanities projects across the country. The NEH has awarded a $150,000 Cultural and Community Resilience grant for “Transmission Regained: Recalling Traditional Lifeways through Intergenerational Oral History in the “World’s Borough” Queens,” a project led by Project Director Bijoyeta Das, Associate Professor and Director of the Journalism Program; and Co-Director Dr. Noam Scheindlin, Professor, Director of the Creative Writing major, and Honors Program Co-Director, both from LaGuardia. This project will create an intergenerational oral history collection of 42 interviews, which explores alienation from nature and traditional practices in the face of climate change in Queens. The NEH received 96 applications and 17 received funding. The LaGuardia project is funded in part by the agency’s special initiative, the American Tapestry: Weaving Together Past, Present, and Future.

Professor Ann Matsuuchi Publishes Reference Guide on Life and Works of Samuel R. Delany 

Earlier this month, Ann Matsuuchi, Instructional Technology Librarian and Professor (Library), published Samuel R. Delany: A Reference Guide to His Life and Works with Rowman & Littlefield (January 2025). Co-authored with Beth Mannion (Baruch College), Lavelle Porter (Macaulay Honors College), and Kenny Roggenkamp (Binghamton University), this book highlights Delany’s broad influence in literary criticism, science fiction, Afrofuturism, and queer theory. Delany has received numerous accolades, including the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction Writers of America in 2013 and the Kessler Award from the Center for LGBTQ Studies (CLAGS) in 1997 for his lifetime contributions to LGBTQ studies. Professor Matsuuchi, who regards Delany as a mentor, friend, and teacher, emphasizes his contributions to pedagogical practices. “As Dr. Cathy Davidson, founding director of the Futures Initiative, often describes, Delany would routinely ask the students in his classrooms to raise their hands. He did this to help them learn that they all had a stake in the game, a voice to be heard, whether they knew the answer to the question being asked, or not.”  

Professor Bimbi Selected for Hudson County Inaugural LGBTQ+ Advisory Task Force 

Dr. David Bimbi, professor of Community Health & Wellness, has been invited and has graciously accepted to serve on Hudson County’s inaugural LGBTQ+ Advisory Task Force. This Task Force is dedicated to eliminating discrimination, fostering acceptance, and advocating for greater visibility and respect for LGBTQ+ individuals across Hudson County. This appointment builds on Dr. Bimbi’s work as a member of the city’s Pride Advisory Task Force since last year. Notably, Dr. Bimbi was selected as the Mayoral appointee for this initiative and will continue his service in the coming year, focusing on several special projects. Prior to joining LaGuardia, Dr. Bimbi worked in NIH and CDC-funded HIV/AIDS and substance use behavioral research as well as serving 12 years on the board of directors of a LGBTQ+ community center in Jersey City where he also developed healthy living workshops for transgender women. Dr. Bimbi was recognized for his work serving the LBGTQ communities with awards from his alma mater NJCU in 2008 as well as a citation from local county government in 2011. 

Supporting Students’ Mental Health: Faculty Support Circles on January 22 and February 26 

Faculty play a key role in supporting students with mental health challenges. However, providing support to students in need can leave a significant emotional toll. LaGuardia faculty who are feeling overwhelmed or stressed out due to their student’s mental health challenges are invited to attend Faculty Support Circles, organized by Dr. Donna Siergie-Munsey, DNP, RN, an Assistant Professor in the Health Sciences Department. Faculty Support Circles will take place January 22 and February 26 at 6 p.m. in E-322. Faculty Support Circles aim to provide faculty members with a community of peers who are also navigating the complexities of supporting students with mental health difficulties. Faculty who participate will learn practical, effective coping mechanisms and support techniques in the company of colleagues who understand what you’re going through. Please reach out to Dr. Siergie-Munsey at dsiergie-munsey@lagcc.cuny.edu to receive more information about Faculty Support Circles.   

CTL Call for Seminar and Workshop Proposals

The Center for Teaching and Learning invites LaGuardia faculty and staff to propose seminars, workshops or other professional development activities for the 2025 spring semester or 2025-26 academic year. Proposals should align with the CTL goals for the year and with the College’s new Strategic Plan, which prioritizes shared equity leadership as a college wide practice. Proposal applications for Spring 2025 are due January 21; and applications for academic year 2025-26 activities are due March 10. Additional information is available here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Save the Date for Opening Sessions 

Please mark your calendars for Opening Sessions on Wednesday, March 5 at 3 p.m. in the Little Theater. The event, which kicks off the Spring semester, will feature news and updates on college-wide initiatives and updates on the college's Strategic Plan. More details to come soon.  

Faculty Lunch Series with President Adams: Register Today 

Faculty are invited to RSVP for Lunch with President Kenneth Adams, as part of an on-going series of meet ups with the community. There is no formal agenda, just a chance to catch up and share your LaGuardia story with the President. Please RSVP; space is limited. All events are held on Wednesdays from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The first lunch of 2025 will be January 15, with two more to be held in April and May.  

CUNY Citizenship Now! Provides Immigration Law Services to Students

CUNY Citizenship Now! offers free, high-quality, and confidential immigration law services to help CUNY students and their families on the path to U.S. citizenship. CUNY Citizenship Now! has a team of attorneys and paralegals who can assess students' eligibility for legal benefits and help them apply if they qualify. Services include assistance with naturalization, family-based petitions, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), certificates of citizenship, renewal and replacement of immigration documents, and full and partial fee waiver requests. If you know of a LaGuardia student who may be in need of these services, please direct them here to learn more and schedule an appointment. In Queens, CUNY Citizenship Now! has offices on the Queens College and York College campuses; for a full list of CUNY Citizenship Now! offices, click here.

LaGuardia Offers Funding Resources for Virtually Every Student

Through the Friedman Fund for new New Yorkers, any eligible student at LaGuardia can receive support through scholarships, experiential learning stipends, and emergency aid, to help students complete their degree or continuing education program. Students of any citizenship status can apply for support through the LaGuardia Foundation here.

Sign Up to Add a Professional Headshot to Your Faculty Profile 

LaGuardia’s Communications and External Affairs Division is hosting a series of “Photo Days” for faculty and staff who need to update their professional headshots! Your headshot can be used for a variety of purposes and adds a personal touch to your Faculty Profile on the LaGuardia website. Book your timeslot for January 28, February 11, March 18, April 15 or May 13. For more information contact Anastasia Figuera, photographer, Ext. 7471. 

Ask LaGuardia Offers Answers to Your Questions 24/7 

If you have a question about anything LaGuardia-related, visit Ask LaGuardia for a quick answer. Ask LaGuardia is the school’s database of answers to common questions faculty, staff, and students alike have about campus. Since it was launched more than a decade ago, hundreds of questions and answers have been entered into Ask LaGuardia, and many more are being added. Every time you use Ask LaGuardia, the system grows and becomes more accurate as it learns how questions are asked and connects related subjects. 

5 Years Later: Practices, Pedagogies, and Tools to Enhance LaGuardia Student Success 

Academic Affairs invites faculty, staff, and students to a series of in-person events that highlight practices designed to support student success from the first-year experience through graduation. Exchange ideas and insights with colleagues from across the college about activities and approaches that foster student engagement both within and outside the classroom. All sessions are ‘drop-in’ please stay as long as you can—agendas will be available a week before the event.   


  • Thursday, February 13: Choose Your Own Adventure: ePortfolio 3.0 
  • Friday, March 21: The FYE: An Opportunity to Frame the LaGuardia Student Experience 
  • Wednesday, March 26: CTL Open House 
  • Friday, March 28: Advising & Mentoring Summit  

LAGUARDIA AND WAGNER ARCHIVES

Archives Hosts Primary Source Document About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This Monday, the nation will honor civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There are countless secondary sources about Dr. King out there, from books to movies to cartoons and beyond. It’s not often we seek out primary sources, beyond those most famous, like his speeches. Consider this 1965 press release by his lawyer, Clarence B. Jones:

Through this document, Dr. King’s priorities and strength of character are shown. If he had allowed a New York State Senator to be elected in part off the back of his fame, that man would have been indebted to him. Dr. King could have used that indebtedness to advance his civil rights agenda. But he refused to stoop to those levels. He would not be some political fixer who could be said to control the Black vote. He rose above political involvement to keep the movement in the forefront. We can all learn something from the example Dr. King set. Consider learning more about him and his legacy through primary sources like this one found at the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives!

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Virtual Office Available Every Friday for Enrollment Assistance

Students looking for enrollment services support can now access virtual office hours every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Virtual One Stop takes place on Zoom and allows students to drop in and meet with staff from the following offices:


  • Admissions
  • International Student Services
  • Registrar
  • Student Financial Services
  • Student Information Center
  • Transfer Credit Evaluation
  • Testing

STUDENT AFFAIRS

New Guidance from the Office for Civil Rights regarding Student Accessibility in Higher Education 

On January 3, 2025, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a new resource regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Individualized Assessments for Students with Disabilities in Postsecondary Education. This new resource explains Section 504's requirement that postsecondary schools individually assess a student's need for academic adjustments (sometimes referred to as accommodations). Section 504 prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities by institutions that accept federal financial assistance, which includes almost all public and private institutions of higher education.

Specifically, regarding assessments for students with disabilities, postsecondary schools must always treat each student with a disability as an individual. The resource addresses what postsecondary community members have often referred to as "the interactive process," including several aspects of individualized consideration, and offers examples that illustrate schools' obligations. Please review this updated guidance and contact LaGuardia’s Office of Accessibility if you have any questions. 

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses Program Welcomes New Cohort 

On January 15, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, welcomed Cohort 44. President Kenneth Adams and Assuanta Howard, Assistant Dean, Business Services & Executive Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, presented remarks during the welcome ceremony. Cohort 44 is the 50th cohort since the program’s inception in 2010. Offered under the Continuing Education and Workforce Development Division, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses at LaGuardia is a practical business management education program that helps individuals develop the skills needed to grow their company. The program offers a series of 11 learning sessions, business support services, and one-on-one business advising from dedicated professionals to help develop a tailored plan for growth.  

RED HAWK ATHLETICS

Cheer for the LaGuardia Red Hawks Women’s and Men’s Basketball


The mighty Red Hawks invite students, faculty and staff to support them during the following upcoming games. Show your school spirit and support the Red Hawks. Check the Athletics website for full schedules: 

Women’s Basketball


  • January 15, 6 p.m. at Camden CC
  • January 18, 1 p.m. at Westchester CC
  • January 21, 6 p.m. vs. BMCC
  • January 23, 6 p.m. vs. Queensborough

Men’s Basketball 


  • January 18, 3 p.m. at Westchester CC
  • January 21, 8 p.m. vs. BMCC
  • January 23, 8 p.m. vs. Queensborough
  • January 28, 7 p.m. at Suffolk County CC

LIBRARY NEWS

Updates from LaGuardia’s Library

  • Welcome back! Due to financial limitations, the Library will be closed Sundays through the Fall II session. Sunday hours will resume with the Spring I semester. Please check our Library Hours before making the trip.
  • Our next MoneyBoss financial literacy workshop will be on Wednesday, January 22, at 2:15-3:15 p.m. in room E-111. Professors Elizabeth Jardine and Anne O’Reilly will discuss Your Financial New Year’s Resolutions! Don’t forget, these count as co-curricular workshops.To register, and find out more information, visit our MoneyBoss website.
  • Did you get an A on a research paper in the Fall semester? Want a chance to win an Amazon HD Fire tablet? Enter the 44th Annual Library Research Review Competition. Students can enter research papers written for courses taken at LaGuardia during the 2024-25 academic year. The deadline is July 5, 2025. 

HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES

Seminar for Joining NYCERS (The New York City Employees’ Retirement System) 

As an eligible NYC employee, if you haven’t joined NYCERS yet, you’re invited to a seminar to learn about NYCERS benefits, including lifetime pension, death benefits, buyback, loans and more. Representatives will answer your questions and provide instructions to sign up for membership online. 


  • Date: January 23 
  • Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • Where: Zoom Video Conference (Closed captioning available) 


 To register, contact Human Resource Benefits Specialist Bonnie Brown at bbrown@lagcc.cuny.edu or by phone at (718) 482-5087, by 3 p.m. on January 21. Bonnie will provide you with the Zoom meeting details. 

Meet with a TIAA Financial Consultant on Campus 


No matter where you are in your work life – just starting or contemplating retirement – a session with an expert can help you plan for your future. The consultation is free and will address important questions about investing, saving, and taking income from your retirement account after you retire. TIAA will be on campus for one-on-one sessions on the following dates in 2025: 


  • Monday, February 10: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
  • Thursday, March 6: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, April 2: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Thursday, May 1: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 


All sessions will be held in Conference Room E-407. Register here. We look forward to working with you! 

Performance Evaluation and Management Training Now Available 


Annual evaluations are critical for supervisors to support employees' goals, document performance expectations, and make personnel decisions. With evaluations due to be completed and submitted in March, Human Resources is offering Performance Evaluation and Management Training to guide supervisors in the evaluation process, whether you're conducting your first evaluation or your 100th. Training will focus on reviewing the process and best practices for conducting and preparing efficient employee performance evaluations. 


All training will take place on Teams and will be led by Mary C. DiGangi, Executive Director, Human Resources. Register here for one of the following dates: 


  • Friday, January 24: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
  • Monday, January 27: 9: 30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 


For questions and additional information, please contact Yasu Denda

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

What is a Smishing Scam? How To Protect Yourself 


Smishing scams involve unsolicited text messages impersonating businesses, government agencies, or financial institutions, often using fear tactics to steal personal or financial information. The FCC warns these scams are on the rise. 


6 Tips to Protect Yourself: 


  • Don’t respond to suspicious texts – delete them. 
  • Avoid clicking links or attachments in suspicious messages. 
  • Set automatic updates for software/hardware. 
  • Use multi-factor authentication. 
  • Share personal info only through secure channels. 
  • Report suspicious texts to the FCC, FTC, FBI, your mobile carrier, and any affected company. 


For more guidance, visit online security resources or contact the IT HelpDesk at ITHelp@lagcc.cuny.edu

Introducing the DoIT Project Management Office (PMO) Request Form


DoIT is launching a streamlined process for requesting project management services from the PMO. The PMO ensures successful IT project outcomes by providing structured guidance and coordinating with stakeholders. To request PMO support, complete the PMO Request Form in the Faculty and Staff Portal under “Request Support.” Refer to the “How to Start a Project Management Request” guide for assistance. A project manager will contact you to discuss next steps. For more info, contact Jetmir Troshani.

IT Reminder: Complete Mandatory Cybersecurity Awareness Training


Please log in to Blackboard and complete the Cybersecurity Awareness Training course under the “Organizations” tab. This course covers phishing, spam, and best practices to protect CUNY accounts and sensitive data. Your participation is vital for safeguarding the University’s information. For questions, contact Maritza Acero.  

LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES

NYC GAZETTE: ⁠Two LaGuardia students, Quashawna Hutcherson and Laniel Collazo, were awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a prestigious award from the U.S. State Department for students with limited financial means. Both students will use their scholarships to study in Japan this summer. 


QNS: LaGuardia is a designated location for New York City's 20th annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate project. The overnight event on Jan. 28 is a key part of addressing homelessness across the five boroughs. 


THE GUARDIAN: Dr. Stephen Petrus, a scholar of 1960s folk music and director of public history programs at the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives, on the film A Complete Unknown and the relationship between Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.  


PATCH: A performance by Afro-Dominican Flamenco artist Laura Peralta at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 1 is part of the CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI), an expansive program providing New York City choreographers and dance companies with creative residencies on CUNY college campuses. 


EVENTS

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"Campus Update" is produced and published by the Communications and External Affairs Division. Faculty and staff who wish to submit items for publication can email CampusUpdate@lagcc.cuny.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for publication on Wednesday.